Dowdeswell Speed-Harra User manual

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Instruction
Manual
Speed-Harra
4m & 5m

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Introduction to the manual
The provision of this manual is a requirement of the Supply of Machinery (Safety)
Regulations 1992.
This manual has been written and provided to enable operators of Dowdeswell
products to:
1) Understand how the machine operates.
2) Be able to operate the machine safely and without hazard to either the operator
or those in the vicinity.
3) Be able to use the machine to its full potential.
The operator or any persons employed to service or maintain the machine must read
and fully understand this manual before using or servicing the machine.
The contents of this manual are intended as a guide to the operation and servicing of
the machine described herein and as such is not a training manual.
Whilst ever care and attention has been taken in the design and production of al
Dowdeswell products as with all machinery there remains a certain amount of risk to
personnel whilst the machine is in use.
In accordance with the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 1992,
Note: The equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure level at the drivers seat
does not exceed 70dB(A).

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Important Information
Serial Number
It is important to make a note of the serial number and year of manufacture of your
machine in the spaces provided below. This information should always be quoted in
any correspondence with Dowdeswell Engineering.
When ordering spares for your machine, you should always quote the serial number
and year of manufacture either to Dowdeswell‟s or to your dealer.
Machine Serial Number:_____________________________
Year of manufacture:_____________
Warranty
Should defective material or workmanship used in the manufacture give rise to
failure, the products, components or sub-assemblies affected, will be replaced free of
charge during the period of warranty offered with the machine at the time of purchase.
The fitting of non Dowdeswell parts, or repairs, or modifications carried out by
unauthorised persons will invalidate the warranty. No work will be carried out
without prior consultation with Dowdeswell Engineering Co. Ltd.
Save to the extent covered by the warranty, the company shall not be liable in any
circumstances for any loss, injury or expense, whether direct or indirect, which may
arise for any reason whatsoever from any defect in or otherwise in connection with
any goods supplied or work done by the company.
Replacement Parts
Use only genuine Dowdeswell spares as these replacement parts are designed for your
machine to give the best possible performance and also have the full backing of the
warranty cover. See the Parts Manual for the part number and description, when
ordering spares always quote the machine serial number.
Definitions
Throughout this manual the terms “Front”,”Rear”,”Left-hand (LH)” and “Right-hand
(RH)” will be used and are derived from the tractor drivers normal position facing
forward with the plough in its transport position.
The left-hand components are those which move the soil to the left, and the right-hand
components are those which move the soil to the right.

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Contents
This manual covers the Dowdeswell folding Speed-Harra range. This range of
cultivators are designed to be fitted to the tractor‟s 3 point linkage and the folding of
the machine is achieved by hydraulic power being provided by the tractor. The
machine is solely to be used for the cultivation of soil and must not be used for any
other purpose.
It is essential that the machine is operated in line with the procedures and practices as
outlined in this manual.
Section Contents Page number
Important information 3
Contents 4
Technical specifications 5
Safety precautions 6 & 7
Safety decal description 8, 9, 10 & 11
Tractor preparation 12
Connecting to the tractor 13
Hydraulic connection 13
Preparation for work 14
Levelling board adjustment 14
Depth adjustment 15
Transport 15 & 16
Maintenance & storage 17
Parts Section 18 
All the information given throughout this manual is correct at the time of publication.
However, in the course of constant development of Dowdeswell machines, changes in
specification are inevitable. Should you find the information given in this book to be
of variance with the machine in your possession, please advise the Dowdeswell
Service Department where up to date information can be supplied.
The manual can obtain standard and optional features and is not be used as a machine
specification.

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Speed-Harra Technical Specification
Weight
4m Speed-Harra - 1280Kg
5m Speed-Harra - 1600Kg
Tractor Mounting
Linkage categories: Category 2
Hydraulic Specifications
Folding rams: Bore dia. 6cm Rod dia. 3cm
Maximum system working pressure: 3000psi. (207Bar)
Hydraulics supply: 1 single acting service
Basic Construction
Main frame: S355 equivalent hollow section and plate fabrication
Wing frame: S355 equivalent hollow section and plate fabrication
Other sections: Generally S255 equivalent
Headstock
Lockable for transport. With the ability to float for work, allowing the machine to
follow field contours and giving the tractor freedom of movement.
Suitability
General power requirement of 25hp/meter.
Transport
Folding wing sections to bring the machine inside 3meter width and headstock lock to
prevent machine sway.

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Safety Precautions (1)
Dowdeswell products have been designed, constructed and tested in accordance with
the current safety regulations. However, as with all machinery there are inherent
dangers whilst operating and carrying out maintenance on the machine. The
following is a list that must be brought to the attention of the persons operating or
working on the machine and should be complied with at all times.
Before use
1) Read and familiarise yourself with the operator‟s instruction manual for both
the tractor which is being used and this machine.
2) Consult the tractor manufacturers manual for instructions on mounting
implements and safe working practices.
3) Ensure that the work area is clear of bystanders.
4) Ensure that all guards, covers, warning decals and safety devices are in
position and in working order. Any guard that is damaged must be replaced
immediately.
5) Inspect the work area for obstructions that may constitute a hazard.
6) Ensure the tractor is of a suitable size to lift the machine safely. The addition
of ballast in the tyres and/or the fitting of front weights may be required to
ensure that the combination is stable and safe for use.
During use
1) Observe all safe working procedures, for example, reducing speed on slopes
and turning sharply as the rear of the machine will travel quickly over a wide
arc during turning.
2) Avoid working on ground where there is a risk of overturning.
3) Do not cut across the face of slopes.
4) Avoid inhalation of dust and fumes generated by the machine.
5) Be alert for hidden obstructions. Should the machine hit an obstacle, stop
immediately and check for damage before proceeding.
6) Observe all relevant regulations during the transport of the machine while on
private and public highways.

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Safety Precautions (2)
After use
1) Inspect the machine for damage and replace parts as necessary.
2) Carry out lubrication and maintenance as detailed in this manual to maintain
the machine in a safe working condition.
3) Check all bolts, nuts and screws are tight.
Always
1) Wear safety footwear.
2) Avoid loose clothing that may become entangled in moving parts.
3) Take care when working on the machine as there are many sharp and
protruding components that could cause serious injury.
4) Lower the machine gently to the ground.
Never
1) Carry out any adjustments on the machine unless the tractor engine is stopped,
handbrake applied and the machine is either lowered to the ground or it is
safely supported.
2) Leave the tractor unattended unless the machine is lowered, the engine is
stopped and the parking brake is applied.
3) Allow children or untrained persons on or near the machine.
4) Touch any moving parts or parts that may become hot in the operation of the
machine.
5) Stand on the machine to carry out adjustments or maintenance.
6) Stand or sit on the machine while the machine is moving.
7) Stand under the machine unless it is safely supported.
Remember
1) Safety is the responsibility of the operator or persons working on the machine.
2) Think safety at all times.

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Safety decal description (1)
Caution
Stop the tractor‟s engine and remove the key
before starting any servicing or maintenance on the
machine.
Caution
Check that all nuts and bolts are tight before
commencement of daily work. It is also advisable
to check the nuts and bolts on new machines, or on
re-worked areas, after the first two hours of work.
Caution
Any operator is advised to fully read the operators
manual prior to using the machine. If there are any
areas of doubt, it is important to contact
Dowdeswells before proceeding. It is advisable to
keep the instruction manual in the cab of the
tractor to ensure that any new operators can
familiarise themselves with the machine before
use.

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Safety decal description (2)
Caution
Do not stand underneath the machine when it is
raised. If you need to get access to the underside,
you must ensure that the machine is safely
supported.
Caution
Do not stand between tractor and machine when
the machine is being fitted to the tractor.
Caution
Do not stand on the machine at any time.

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Safety decal description (3)
Caution
Some of the components on the machine have
sharp edges or corners. Caution must be used
when servicing or maintaining the machine and
appropriate protection for the hands should be
worn. It is advisable for people who are unfamiliar
with the machine to wear a hard hat to protect
themselves from injury.
Caution
There are areas on the machine that could crush a
part on the body. You should never enter these
areas when the machine is being used. You should
only enter these areas when the machine is lowered
to the ground and the tractor‟s engine has been
stopped and the key removed.
Caution
To ensure that the machine will function correctly,
it is important to grease the machine. The greasing
intervals are outlined in the instruction manual.

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Safety decal description (4)
Caution
To ensure that damage does not occur to any
component, it is vital that only Dowdeswell
genuine shearbolts are used. Failure to do so will
invalidate any warranty on the machine.
Caution
Some of the components on the machine will
become hot during the use. Caution must be used
when servicing or maintaining the machine and
appropriate protection for the hands should be
worn.

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Tractor preparation
Tractor ballast
The tractor must have the appropriate amount of ballast for the length and weight of
the plough to ensure maximum safety during transport and turnover, and optimum
traction and balance in work. Weight should be added, as required to the front of the
tractor and, if required, to the rear wheels and/or tyres in the case of wheeled tractors.
The most cost effective method of increasing the weight at the rear is to add water
ballast. This is best done by a competent tyre fitter and should not exceed the amount
as specified by the tyre manufacturer, if in doubt, seek advice from your dealer.
It is important that the maximum axle loads are not exceeded, as this could cause
failure of the axles. This can be checked by placing the front and rear axles on a
weighbridge and matching the results to the maximum axle loadings that should be
stated in the tractor instruction manual.
It is also important to check that the tractor and implement combination does not
exceed the maximum permissible vehicle weight. This weight includes the tractor,
implement, ballast and the operator and any tools carried. This weight can be checked
by placing the tractor and implement combination on a weighbridge and matching the
result to the tractor instruction manual
Tyre pressures
The tyre pressures should be set equal on both front and rear axles in accordance with
the tractor instruction manual or tyre manufacturer‟s recommendations.
General tractor condition
To get the best from your equipment, the tractor must be maintained in accordance
with the tractor manufacturers recommendations.
Safe road transport
The tractor and implement should be driven on the public highway in accordance with
current regulations for such a combination. Also it is advisable that a flashing beacon
be fitted to the tractor to ensure that the tractor is visible to other road users.

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Connecting to tractor
To ensure safe and efficient connection of the front press linkage to the tractor, it is
important that the following procedure is followed;
Lower lift arms
Both lift arms should be set at the same height from
the ground. Check this by measuring the length of
the drop arms on both sides and adjusting as
necessary.
1) Ensure that the tractor and implement are on a firm and level surface.
2) Engage the tractors lower links with the bottom link pins on the implement.
3) Engage the tractors top link with the top link pin on the implement.
4) Ensure that the transport pin in the headstock is in place if the machine is to be
moved from the farm yard.
5) Ensure that the tractors check-chains or blocks have enough slack for the
implement to swing a little and that the implement misses the drawbar (if
fitted).
Hydraulic connection
The 4 & 5 Meter Speed Harra‟s need only one single acting hydraulic service from
the tractor. Please ensure that the hydraulic probes are clean before fitting to the
tractor or oil contamination problems may occur.
The hydraulic pipes have the following function;
1) Hydraulic hose (Item 1) is for the folding of the machine for tansport.
Item 1

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Preparation for work
Grease all crumbler bearings and hydraulic cylinder joints daily and twice daily in wet
conditions. Once the implement is connected to the tractor and in the field ready to
use, the transport pin (Item 1) must be removed from the headstock.
Item 1
Levelling board adjustment
The levelling board is used to carry a small amount of soil ahead of the first row of
crumblers to allow for a more even soil level into the machine, it is not a cultivation
element and care should be taken not to overload the levelling board.
To adjust the working depth of the levelling board, these instructions should be
followed:
1) Remove the „R‟ clips (Item 2).
2) Remove the mounting pins (Item 3) from the bracket.
3) Re-position the levelling board (Item 4) to the required depth.
4) Replace the mounting pins (Item 3) and „R‟ clips (Item 2).
Item 2
Item 3
Item 4

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Depth adjustment
Depth adjustment of the tines is achieved by turning the depth adjuster handle (Item
1), either clockwise to decrease depth or counter-clockwise to increase depth. This
should be set equally across the mainframe and each of the wing frames, a depth
guide strip (Item 2) can be used as an indicator.
Item 2 Item 1
Transport 1 of 2
Wing locks
To release the wing locks to allow the wings to be folded down, you must pull on the
release rope (Item 4) and at the same time, open the hydraulic line to the folding ram
(Item 5) to lower the wings into the working position. To lock the wings for transport
simply operate the hydraulic service to the folding ram and the wink locks will
automatically clip into position.
Item 4 Item 3
Item 3 Item 5

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Transport 2 of 2
Transport locking bar
The transport locking bar must be used at all times during road transport. To attach
the transport locking bar these instructions should be followed:
1) Remove the transport locking bar (Item 2) from its stowage mountings on one
of the wing frames.
2) Fold up the wing frames (refer to wing locks section).
3) Fit the transport locking bar as shown in the below image.
4) Fit the lynch pins (item 1) to retain the transport locking bar.
Item 1 Item 2 Item 1
The Speed-Harra is now ready for transport.
To return the Speed-Harra to its working position the procedure above should be
followed in reverse.

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Maintenance instructions
To ensure your implement continues to operate correctly, the following maintenance
must be carried out :-
1) Grease all disc bearings daily and twice daily in wet conditions.
2) Check all nuts and bolts for tightness daily.
3) Check hydraulic hoses daily for damage and replace as necessary.
4) Replace wearing parts as necessary to prevent damage to non wearing parts.
5) Check joints and bearings weekly for wear and replace as necessary to prevent
damage to housings.
Note: The recommended lubrication grease is a lithium based grease with EP
additives or a lithium based grease with a silicone oil lubricant.
Storage
Before storing your Speed-Harra, the following points must be observed :-
1) Clean the machine thoroughly.
2) Lubricate all grease points.
3) Replace any wearing parts as necessary.
4) Cover wearing parts with a rust preventative.
5) Touch up paint work as necessary.